And while the Prime Minister as Minister of Finance is out of the country, the job falls to his Minister Of State, Chris Coye. He's also the subject of a Freedom of Information inquiry about the status of relations between his government and his law firm.
That firm, Courtenay Coye LLP, has been retained by the government in various matters. But, for that to be lawful, he and Foreign Minister Eamon Courtneay would have to get a special dispensation from the Governor General.
So, did they get it? That's what the UDP Senator Michael Peyrefitte asked a week ago - and he's gotten antsy about the fact that there's still been no response to a yes/no question.
The press asked Coye about it today - and he said yes:
Chris Coye - Minister of State, Ministry of Finance
"That has been done in the case of both Senator Courtenay and I, I presume from 2020 so that's a non-starter really. As far as the freedom of information request, I believe the PM will submit or send a letter of response providing full disclosure in short order."
Reporter
"How do you respond to the remark that it is a conflict of interest because you are a friend of the prime minister, you work in his office as minister of state, and then your law firm is contracted for these high profile cases?"
Chris Coye
"I'm not sure how it would be a conflict of interest, I have no involvement. Senator Courtenay and I are both on sabbatical from the law firm, we have no involvement with the law firm at this point in time but at least for the period of our official service to the government. As far as any action or matter which the government engages the law firm for, that is between the relevant department and the law firm, there is nothing hidden in what is occurring, who we are as far as our declared position. We have gone through all the relevant processes for that according to the law."
Reporter
"So is it that you or Minister Courtenay do not take a supervisory or advisory role in your own law firm to make sure that these cases are?"
Chris Coye
"No, none whatsoever."
Reporter
"Your law firm is being paid by public funds."
Chris Coye
"I think the law firm is being paid by the government."
Reporter
"Yes, the people's money."
Chris Coye
"Yes."
Reporter
"Don't you think that figure should be made public?"
Chris Coye
"As I mentioned, there will be full disclosure on that, the prime minister is the one that's been requested, and I believe the prime minister will respond accordingly to the full disclosure, the full figures, but as far as that is concerned, I expect that will be a disclosure of pre and post administration engagements."
